<< Report on the Welcome Events for Incoming Students >>

Christopher Reina

September 13, 2003, one of the first events organized by UMEX this semester for new IUJ students was a small tour of Yamato-machi. During the tour, we were able to witness some of the highlights of the area as well as a special performance at the local hospital featuring a second-year IUJ student. Our first stop was Budo-no-Hana no Park, where the local winery is located. There, we were able to see the many different types of wines that are native to the Niigata area. Once inside, we were shown where the wine was stored. The hot weather outside contrasted sharply with the cool temperature in the basement of the winery, where the wine is stored in oak barrels and kept cool by a large block of snow. We then proceeded upstairs to the main floor and were allowed to sample the different types of wine that are produced here. Needless to say, the wine was very tasty. Our next stop was to the local gBishamonh Shinto shrine. The shrine was very simple and beautiful, capturing the essence of the Japanese spirit. After walking through the magnificently carved wooden gate and passing the shrinefs gguardianh statues, we went to purify our hands and mouths before entering the shrine, itself. Inside the shrine, we were allowed to pray for good fortune by giving a gift, ringing the shrinefs gong, and bowing slightly while asking for a favor from the kami. After a brief stop at the local hardware store, we proceeded to the Yamato-machi Hospital where we were treated to a special musical performance for patients at the hospital. Various individuals were featured on stage, performing numerous Japanese songs. One of these performances featured Georgi Kocharkov, a second-year IUJ student, singing the famous Japanese popular song gSakura.h The performances were very good and almost certainly lifted the spirits of those present to see and hear them. After the performances were done, we returned to the UMEX Salon to chat and plan for future events. The tour gave us all a chance to see some of the sights in Yamato-machi and was a great introduction to the area surrounding our university.

Amitabh Kumar

UMEX organized a Bar-be-Que party at IUJ near the tennis court on 14 September, 2003. The main purpose of the party was to welcome newly admitted students at the campus. Nearly sixty students signed up for the party. At the beginning, the UMEX president explained to participating students about importance of this party for the UMEX in general and for the Japanese society as a whole. He said that the Japanese people saw any welcome event as a lifetime opportunity. Hence, it is very important for UMEX members to welcome new students. Most of the students actively participated in the preparation of the party specially in the making of gonigirih the rice ball. Students also enjoyed baking and eating piece of beef, pork, chicken, and vegetables together with onegiri. Normally in Japan people end the field party by raising three times their hands in the sky and saying gbanzaih simultaneously. At the end, one of the UMEX members explained this to students. Everybody happily took part in this tradition and ended the party with enthusiasm. This party gave an excellent opportunity for local people to mix with IUJ community. New students were also able get a small glimpse of the Japanese culture and traditions.